Rafaela Martinez-Cañavate Ballesteros

Feeling the call to consecrated life, Rafaela sought to discern her vocation. She went to Seville to consult Father José Torres Padilla (co-founder of the Company of the Cross) and visited Saint Maravillas of Jesus in Madrid. On the latter's advice, she decided to enter the Order of the Poor Clare Capuchins. On May 15, 1941, she crossed the doors of the Poor Clare Capuchin monastery of Chauchina, in the province of Granada, drawn in particular by the perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament practiced there. She received the religious habit on November 18, 1942, and pronounced her first vows the following day, November 19, 1942, under the name of Sister Raphaëlle Marie of the Jesus-Host. She made her solemn profession on November 19, 1945. Within her community, she was noted for her docility, simplicity, and spirit of sacrifice, always choosing the humblest tasks to relieve her sisters, despite physical suffering due to a tumor on her back and a bout of appendicitis. Her human and spiritual qualities quickly led her to assume important responsibilities: on March 4, 1949, she was appointed novice mistress. In 1955, she accompanied her abbess to Madrid for the first chapter of the Federation of the Most Holy Trinity, where she was elected federal councilor. On April 27, 1960, the community elected her abbess of the monastery. On October 17, 1967, she participated in the third federal chapter and was reappointed as councilor for a six-year term. In 1974, at the end of her term as abbess, she became vicar and novice mistress, before being re-elected abbess in 1977, a function she would exercise almost continuously until her death.

In 1991, she was diagnosed with malignant cancer. Sister Raphaëlle Marie accepted the illness with total serenity, considering it a gift from God, and offered her sufferings for the sanctification of priests and for her religious community. In accordance with her wish, she spent her final days in the infirmary of the monastery of Chauchina, where she passed away on May 29, 1991. Her death, experienced in deep inner joy, left a profound mark on those who attended her.

The reputation for holiness of Sister Raphaela Mary of the Jesus-Host led to the opening of her cause for beatification and canonization. The diocesan inquiry took place within the ecclesiastical curia of Granada from February 28, 2002, to April 17, 2004, during 47 sessions in which 31 witnesses were heard. On May 5, 2015, Pope Francis authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic nature of her virtues, thus conferring upon her the title of Venerable.

The spirituality of the Venerable Raphaela Mary of Jesus-Host is deeply rooted in the Franciscan charism of Saint Clare of Assisi, characterized by evangelical poverty, humility, and fraternal life. Her contemplative life was centered on the Eucharist, as evidenced by her religious name dedicated to "Jesus-Host." She was able to embody the ideal of Saint Clare by being both "mother and servant" to her sisters, combining great spiritual rigor with a deep understanding and respect for the rhythm of each one. Although living in strict enclosure, she exerted a significant spiritual influence outside the monastery, becoming a guide and a point of reference for many faithful and laypeople who came to her seeking advice and prayers.